Church pastor: Rehabilitation of coffee in ENB is a blessing

WE must rehabilitate our mindset first to accept coffee rehabilitation work, says Pastor Steven Lupai of Sinivit LLG in Pomio District, East New Britain Province.

“If we want change we must change our thinking and attitude.

“Get rid of backbiting and jealousy and return to God. Only God can change us and not any books that we read I tell you.”

Pastor Lupai said this during the signing of a Productive Partnerships in Agriculture Project (PPAP) agreement between Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) and private firm New Britain Resources Development Ltd and Co Partner Qaqet Stewardship Council Inc. The signing ceremony took place at Sinivit LLG headquarters in Pomio District on Friday 30 June, 2016.

PPAP is a CIC project financed by a loan facility from World Bank IDA (International Development Association) and IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) with counter-funding from PNG Government.

The agreement paves the way for PPAP’s new Lead Partner to implement coffee rehabilitation activities which include improving existing coffee gardens and setting up nurseries for one million seedlings in Pomio District. The project will involve 1,000 farmers covering 1,000 hectares.

The Lead Partner (LP) has committed to invest K1 million which includes construction of a warehouse for storage and coffee green bean processing factory in Kokopo.

Also present at the ceremony were LLG executives, provincial government representatives, company officials and CIC officers.

Citing Romans 12 and Mathew 3, Pastor Lupai said there are only three ways for human beings to change and that is through repentance, baptism and receiving of Holy Spirit.

“We must change the whole being in ourselves to have a sense of purpose in our lives.

“Only then we the farmers will accept coffee rehabilitation work as a blessing with no corruption.”

Pastor Lupai’s words were echoed by President of Sinivit LLG and Deputy Chairman of Pomio District Development Authority Boniface Gerep.

“I agree that we must change our mindset. This jealousy will divide us.

“We must unite first in our spiritual thinking and then we can work together to improve our coffee gardens and also to plant one million coffee trees.”

Chairman of Qaqet Stewardship Council Inc who is the Co Partner, Nick Leo adds by calling on farmers to put aside their differences, work and unite in respective corporative groups to improve their coffee gardens and sell more coffee.

 ”We must learn to appreciate one and other and learn to address issues on professional approach if we want to advance.”

The Lead Partner has committed to invest K1 million which includes construction of a warehouse for storage and coffee green bean processing factory in Kokopo.

Manager for PPAP coffee Potaisa Hombunaka also emphasized the importance of accountability and good governance in the management of coffee rehabilitation work in compliance with World Bank guidelines.

“Why are we signing the agreement here in Sinivit? The provincial government must know and support it.

“It is important to also go down the next tier of government especially the LLGs and coffee growers to know this project and we work together.

“The most important people here are 1,000 farmers and their families who will be beneficiaries this project.”

Those present to witness the signing at Sinivit LLG were PPAP Lead Partner representatives, Co Partner, ENB provincial executives, LLG president, CIC officials and coffee farmers and their families.

The PPAP is a coffee rehabilitation project of CIC funded by a loan facility from World Bank (IDA) and IFAD with counter-funding from GoPNG.

Author: 
Press Release